The APPG will hold evidence sessions to “better understand the impact of the plans", the parliamentary group announced today (October 24).

It pledged to invite pharmacy minister David Mowat to give evidence, alongside Department of Health (DH) officials, the pharmacy bodies and patient representatives.

The group will investigate how the DH aims to ensure that pharmacies continue to provide health services to keep patients away from GPs and A&E departments, on a "lower funding package", APPG chair and Labour MP Kevin Barron said. 

Sir Kevin also said the group would look at how pharmacies will adapt their businesses and what the funding cut might mean to patients.

“It’s important to me that no community is left without a pharmacy, but also that pharmacies which remain open don’t have to cut back on the services they provide,” Sir Kevin said. 

Sir Kevin was among the MPs who questioned Mr Mowat on two occasions last week about the government's decision to cut the sector's funding. 

During the debate last Thursday (October 20), Sir Kevin questioned Mr Mowat on when regulations would be put in place to enable pharmacies to merge – which the government has suggested as a solution to its belief there are too many pharmacies in some areas. 

Mr Mowat responded that the regulations would be in place by December 1.